Multi-positional holster accessory attachment system

ABSTRACT

An accessory attachment system for a holster with a platform body with a plurality of apertures, a mounting plate with a plurality of apertures and an optional riser joint that provides an elevated solid mounting surface for attaching accessories to a holster to provide stability for the mounted accessory. In one embodiment, the accessory attachment system allows the mounting point to be moved from the edge of the holster to a more central location and allows for variation in accessory positioning with respect to the holster.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/053,991 filed Sep. 23, 2014. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of holsters. More specifically, the present invention relates to the attachment of accessories to holsters.

BACKGROUND

Holsters are devices that are used to hold, carry and/or restrict the movement of a weapon, such as a handgun, and they are most commonly in a location where the weapon can be withdrawn for immediate use. Holsters typically have mounting points that enable accessories to be attached directly to the holster for items such as clips for the belt, belt loops, paddles, and modular, lightweight, load-carrying equipment (MOLLE) adaptors for attaching various types of gear. These mounting positions typically do not have a solid surface and therefore lack stability for the attachment of many accessories. Furthermore, positioning of these accessories is typically limited to the holster mounting point locations, which are usually around the edges of the holster.

Additionally, the best location and position of the holster as related to the user is variable depending on several factors. Among these are the body type of the user, training background of the user, intended mission, operational environment, and a consideration of other gear that may or may not be necessary for the user to carry on person at the same time as the holster. Taken together the greater the range of adjustment and options in mounting and positioning of the holster the more likely the user is able to incorporate the weapon and holster in an orientation that is most effective for the intended purpose.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to substantially expand the user's options, in a way not possible without use of the present invention, for mounting, attaching and carrying the holstered weapon. The present invention provides a solid mounting surface for attaching accessories to a holster to provide stability for the mounted accessories. An additional embodiment of the present invention further allows the mounting point to be moved from the edge of the holster to a more central location and allows for variation in accessory positioning with respect to the holster. Elevation of the mounting surface can also be an advantage as it reduces substantially the stresses that are placed on, and to, the surface geometry or shape of the holster when clips, paddles, loops or other mounting components are attached directly to the surface of the holster. Such stress negatively affects the fit and retention qualities of a holster by deforming or warping the intended surface shape of the holster exteriors. The present invention reduces this effect or eliminates it completely as it elevates the mounted accessory above the form-fitting surface of the holster. As such, the present invention allows direct attachment to the holster in a location where the holster is structurally suited for the stress associated with mounting while enabling positioning of the clips, loops or other accessory to be in the most ideal location and orientation for the task.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective top view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention in use with a holster and belt clip accessory.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is front view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use with a holster.

FIG. 8B is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use with a holster and belt clip accessory.

FIG. 8C is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use with a holster and belt clip accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is an accessory attachment system 1 with an elongated mounting plate 4 with a plurality of apertures or attachment points, with example apertures or attachment points labeled as 2, and an elongated platform body 3 proximate to the elongated accessory mounting plate 4 wherein the platform body 3 has a plurality of apertures (not shown but located on the bottom outer surface of the platform body distal from the mounting plate 4). The platform body 3 is recessed from the mounting plate 4 with the recess defined by a bottom wall of the platform body, a bottom wall of the accessory mounting plate, a perimeter wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the platform body and with the bottom wall of the accessory mounting plate.

The size and positional relationship of the mounting plate apertures 2 are such that at least some of the mounting plate apertures 2 can be aligned with the corresponding attachment points of an accessory. As shown in FIG. 1, the apertures 2 are aligned to provide flexibility with respect to the positioning of the accessory with respect to a holster. The mounting plate 4 can be coupled to the accessory via an accessory attachment means passing through at least some of the mounting plate apertures.

A plurality of attachment devices, for example a screw, can be used to attach various holster accessories to the holster via the accessory attachment system 1 using the mounting plate apertures, including but not limited to, mounting clips for the belt, belt loops, paddles, MOLLE adaptors for attaching to MOLLY gear, or any other accessory used to enable the carry of a holster.

The size and positional relationship of the platform body apertures (not shown) are such that at least some of the platform body apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachments points of a holster and are formed so as to be capable of interacting with an attachment means, which passes therethrough for securing the platform body to the holster.

It is contemplated but not required that the platform body 3 and accessory mounting plate 4 are formed of one-piece construction.

As shown in FIG. 3, a holster body 6 is sized to receive and hold a handgun or other handheld weapon with a holster outer edge. The accessory attachment system 1 is positioned along an external surface of the outer edge of the holster body for supporting an accessory item such as belt clip 7. The platform body 3 is secured to the holster 6 along the holster edge. The belt clip 7 is secured to the mounting plate 4 using an attachment means such as screws 5.

Turning to FIGS. 4-7, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown with an elongated accessory mounting plate 30 having a plurality of mounting plate apertures 40; an elongated platform body 10; and a riser joint 20 connecting the platform body 10 and the accessory mounting plate 30. The mounting plate 30 is elevated with respect to the platform body 10; and the platform body 10, accessory mounting plate 30 and riser joint 20 are integrally constructed.

The riser joint 20 is typically shaped such that it allows the mounting plate 30 to be flush with the outwardly extended portion of the holster that holds the weapon and the platform body 10 to be flush with the original holster accessory attachment point. The mounting plate 30 has a plurality of attachment points with example apertures or attachment points labeled as 40.

The size and positional relationship of the mounting plate apertures 40 are such that at least some of the mounting plate apertures 40 can be aligned with the corresponding attachment points of an accessory. As shown in FIG. 6, the apertures 40 are aligned to provide flexibility with respect to the positioning of the accessory with respect to a holster. The mounting plate 30 can be coupled to the accessory via an accessory attachment means passing through at least some of the mounting plate apertures.

A plurality of attachment devices, for example a screw, can be used to attach various holster accessories to the holster via the accessory attachment system using the mounting plate apertures, including but not limited to, mounting clips for the belt, belt loops, paddles, MOLLE adaptors for attaching to MOLLY gear, or any other accessory used to enable the carry of a holster.

The size and positional relationship of the platform body apertures (not shown) are such that at least some of the platform body apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachments points of a holster and are formed so as to be capable of interacting with an attachment means, which passes therethrough for securing the platform body to the holster.

The platform body 10 is attached to at least one holster attachment point (not shown) using at least one attachment device (not shown). The mounting plate 30 is attached to the accessory using at least one of the mounting plate aperatures 40 using at least one attachment device.

As shown in further detail in FIGS. 8A-C and discussed below, the plurality of apertures 40 provide the user greater flexibility in the positioning of the accessory with respect to the holster. Further, the riser joint 20 and platform body 10 allow for the accessories to be mounted in a more central location and therefore not limited to the existing attachment points on the holster, which is typically along the edges.

In the preferred embodiment the mounting plate 30, riser joint 20 and platform body 10 are formed as one continuous piece but construction of the device is not limited to such a design, as mounting plate 30, riser joint 20 and platform body 10 may also be constructed using any various types of interlocking designs. The mounting plate 30, riser joint 20 and platform body 10 are preferably constructed of aluminum. However other materials such as plastic, metals or other suitable rigid material capable of providing a stable mounting surface may be used.

Turning to FIGS. 8A-C, a variety of mounting positions of one embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. In each case, the platform body 10 is attached to the holster 50 and the accessory, shown herein as belt clips 60, are attached using at least one aperture 40 on the mounting plate 30 using at least one attachment device, shown herein as screws 70. The belt clips 60 shown herein would normally be limited to attachment along the edges of the holster shown as 80 in each holster displayed. Instead, the belt clips 60 may now be moved to a more central location of the holster, providing greater flexibility in positioning and carrying of the weapon or positioning of the accessory. Further, the plurality of apertures 40 allow the user to position the accessory, such as the belt clips 60, in a variety of orientations with respect to the holster. For example, FIG. 8B shows the belt clip 60 positioned along mounting platform 30 at apertures 40 using attachment device 70 such that the belt clip is no longer limited to a vertically parallel position with respect to the holster 50, thus providing even more flexibility in positioning and carrying of the weapon or positioning of the accessory.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An accessory attachment system comprising: a. An elongated accessory mounting plate having a plurality of apertures; b. An elongated platform body proximate to the elongated accessory mounting plate having a plurality of apertures; Wherein the platform body is recessed from the mounting plate with the recess defined by a bottom wall of the platform body, a bottom wall of the accessory mounting plate, a perimeter wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the platform body and with the bottom wall of the accessory mounting plate.
 2. The accessory attachment system of claim 1 wherein the size and positional relationship of the mounting plate apertures are such that at least some of the mounting plate apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachment points of an accessory.
 3. The accessory attachment system of claim 2 wherein the accessory mounting plate can be coupled to the accessory via an accessory attachment means passing through at least some of the mounting plate apertures.
 4. The accessory attachment system of claim 2 wherein the accessory is a mounting clip, belt loop, paddle, or adaptor for attaching gear.
 5. The accessory attachment system of claim 1 wherein the size and positional relationship of the platform body apertures are such that at least some of the platform body apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachments points of a holster.
 6. The accessory attachment system of claim 5 wherein the platform body apertures are formed so as to be capable of interacting with an attachment means, which passes therethrough for securing the platform body to the holster.
 7. The accessory attachment system of claim 1 wherein the platform and accessory mounting plate are formed of one-piece construction.
 8. An accessory attachment system comprising: a. An elongated accessory mounting plate having a plurality of mounting plate apertures; b. An elongated platform body having a plurality of aperatures; c. A riser joint connecting the platform body and the accessory mounting plate; wherein the mounting plate is elevated with respect to the platform body; and wherein the platform body, accessory mounting plate and riser joint are integrally constructed.
 9. The accessory attachment system of claim 1 wherein the size and positional relationship of the mounting plate apertures are such that at least some of the mounting plate apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachment points of an accessory.
 10. The accessory attachment system of claim 9 wherein the accessory mounting plate can be coupled to the accessory via an accessory attachment means passing through at least some of the mounting plate apertures.
 11. The accessory attachment system of claim 10 wherein the accessory is a mounting clip, belt loop, paddle, or adaptor for attaching gear.
 12. The accessory attachment system of claim 9 wherein the size and positional relationship of the platform body apertures are such that at least some of the platform body apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachments points of a holster.
 13. The accessory attachment system of claim 12 wherein the platform body apertures are formed so as to be capable of interacting with an attachment means, which passes therethrough for securing the platform body to the holster.
 14. A holster comprising: a. A holster body sized to receive and hold a handgun or other handheld weapon with a holster outer edge; b. An accessory attachment system positioned along an external surface of the outer edge of the holster body for supporting an accessory item thereon wherein the accessory attachment system comprises: i. An elongated accessory mounting plate having a plurality apertures; ii. An elongated platform body proximate to the elongated accessory mounting plate having a plurality of apertures; Wherein the platform body is recessed from the mounting plate with the recess defined by a bottom wall of the platform body, a bottom wall of the accessory mounting plate, a perimeter wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the platform body and with the bottom wall of the accessory mounting plate.
 15. The holster of claim 14 wherein the size and positional relationship of the mounting plate apertures are such that at least some of the mounting plate apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachment points of an accessory.
 16. The holster of claim 15 wherein the accessory mounting plate can be coupled to the accessory via an accessory attachment means passing through at least some of the mounting plate apertures.
 17. The holster of claim 15 wherein the accessory is a mounting clip, belt loop, paddle, adaptor for attaching gear or accessory used to enable the carry of the holster.
 18. The holster of claim 14 wherein the size and positional relationship of the platform body apertures are such that at least some of the platform body apertures can be aligned with the corresponding attachments points of a holster.
 19. The holster of claim 18 wherein the platform body apertures are formed so as to be capable of interacting with an attachment means, which passes therethrough for securing the platform body to the holster.
 20. The holster of claim 16 wherein the accessory is mounted distal from outer edge of the holster. 